Ajax defender Jurrien Timber has firmly denied suggestions that Netherlands boss Louis van Gaal warned him off joining Manchester United during the summer transfer window.
The Red Devils are believed to have identified Timber as a leading target during the recent market, but the 21-year-old ultimately signed a new deal in Amsterdam.
Dutch journalist Marcel van der Kraan claimed that the Dutch manager had warned Timber over a move to Old Trafford, claiming that it could impact his chances of playing for the national team at the 2022 World Cup.
"Absolutely dead in the water. The player I think was ready to come, his agents went over to London, to Manchester United's officers two weeks ago, had very good talks. The money was never a problem," Van der Kraan told Sky Sports News at the time.
"But then one man turned up, Louis van Gaal. He told the player in the Dutch camp, look if you go there I think your chances could be limited for playing for Holland in the World Cup three months later.
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"Now for Jurrien Timber, a great Ajax style player, a ten Hag style player, that was a bit of a blow. Louis Van Gaal made it clear that he would not be in his Dutch team if he was playing every week for United."
However, Timber has insisted that was not the case, with Van Gaal actually informing him that he would play regularly at Man United if he made the move.
"It was fake that was Louis van Gaal who told me not to go to Manchester United this summer. Van Gaal actually said I would make minutes there, so that story was not true," Timber told ADnl.
Van Gaal managed the 20-time English champions between 2014 and 2016, leading the club to the 2015-16 FA Cup before his departure, while he joined Netherlands for a third spell in charge in 2021.
Timber has made 79 appearances for the Amsterdam giants in all competitions, contributing four goals and two assists in the process.
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The Dutchman's future could again be called into question next summer, but Ajax have him on a contract until June 2025 and are therefore in a strong position to keep hold of him.
Man United did manage to sign two players from the Eredivisie champions over the summer, though, with Lisandro Martinez and Antony making the move to Old Trafford.
Edson Alvarez is also believed to have been the subject of interest from Chelsea late in the transfer window, but Ajax managed to keep hold of the 24-year-old.
Sebastian Haller, Ryan Gravenberch, Perr Schuurs, Nicolas Tagliafico and Noussair Mazraoui were also among those to leave the Dutch champions in the recent market.
Matt Law
